July 2
Prairie State College
July 11
Arlington Park Racecourse
July 18
Mystic Blue at Navy Pier
The Westin Chicago River North
August 6
Warwick Allerton - Chicago
August 20
Harborside International
Golf Center
September 17
Tuckaway Golf Club, Crete
October 22
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bloomington-Airport
October 23
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
October 30
Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
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STRATEGIC PARTNERS
GOLD SPONSOR
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Earlier this week, I joined the quarterly board of directors meeting for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. I am proud to represent the Illinois hospitality community within this important organization, that focuses on workforce development in communities throughout northern Illinois. Often, we overlook the important role we play in providing quality, high-paying jobs to our neighbors. We also need to do a better job at educating the public about the advancement opportunities within hospitality and tourism. The U.S. Travel Association recently released a report that speaks to travel's role in workforce development including the opportunity we provide Americans of all races, ethnicities and genders. Other interesting aspects include how we provide a gateway to re-enter the workforce following major life events like pursuing a degree or raising a family, as well as the fact that those who start their careers in hospitality make a higher average salary than many other industries like manufacturing and healthcare.
It is critical that we share messages like these with students entering the workforce, policymakers and the media, among other groups. To help accomplish that, IHLA welcomed our newest team member this week, Samantha Stinson, as our Vice President of Government Relations. She will be tasked with educating lawmakers throughout the state on the crucial role we play in job creation, economic development and improving our communities. You can read more information about Samantha below and I hope you have the chance to meet her in-person soon.
Lastly, as we approach the busy Independence Day travel week, I want to extend my thoughts to those who continue to be impacted by flooding throughout the state. I know that I join you all in hoping that this rain ceases soon and that we can enjoy a warm and prosperous summer.
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While the weather may not signal it, July is right around the corner. With that, comes the long-awaited increase in the state lodging per-diem rate. As a reminder, effective July 1, per-diem rates for every region of the state, except for the City of Chicago, will increase by $15 from its current rate.
Chicago's City Council recently held another hearing to consider the proposed Fair Workweek Ordinance. I testified on behalf of IHLA to advocate for the importance of additional changes to the ordinance. Already, we've made progress in lengthening the implementation timeframe as well as reducing the amount of "penalty pay" hotels would have to pay employees for shift changes. We'll continue to engage in negotiations with the hopes of finding a compromise over the next few weeks. An additional committee hearing is expected to take place in mid-July. If passed during that hearing, the proposal would then go up for a final vote during the July 24 City Council meeting.
IHLA Welcomes Samantha Stinson
 We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team, Vice President of Government Relations, Samantha Stinson. Samantha comes to IHLA with nearly fifteen years of experience in public service. She began her career in government as Chief of Staff to Illinois State Representative Annazette R. Collins in 2005 and remained Chief of Staff when Collins went on to become State Senator in 2011. She also served as Chief of Staff to two Aldermen on the Chicago City Council, most recently for Alderman Michael Scott, Jr. Samantha has honed her professional and political acumen through traditional grassroots activism. She has also managed several political campaigns and has served as a field organizer in past presidential elections. Samantha has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Florida A&M University. She was born and raised on the south side of Chicago and resides in the city with her two sons, Khalil and Walter.
AHLA Legislative Action Summit (LAS)
September 10-11
Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C.
 The hotel industry is coming together on Capitol Hill for this incredible event and you're invited! Join with hundreds of your hotel industry colleagues from across the country to meet with your Members of Congress and share what issues matter most to you and your business. Whether you work the front desk, manage a property, are a brand executive or hotel industry vendor, your voice is key!
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UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
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Hospitality Hires Chicago Southland
July 2
Prairie State College
 IHLA is proud to partner with Hospitality Hires Chicago (HHC) Southland to connect employers from the Southland's hospitality and other sectors with the Southland community of job seekers who want to jumpstart their career. To date, HHC events have helped more than 600 people get conditional job offers and is providing more than 200 employers with access to thousands of pre-screened work-ready candidates. If you're an employer looking for a strategic approach to build your talent pipeline, this event is for you. Your company provides a list of your top three employment opportunities and job descriptions. The Partnership team handles identifying, pre-screening, and scheduling candidates to meet and interview with your company. Secure your complimentary spot today!
IHLAEF Pony Up for the Kids
July 11
Arlington International Racecourse | Beverly D. Suite
 Exacta? Trifecta? Superfecta? You Betcha! Get ready for an exciting day at the races in the classy yet comfortable Beverly D. Suite of Arlington Racecourse. Guests will mingle in the private room and covered walkout terrace with stunning bird's eye views of the track and indulge in the delicious fare and premium cocktails. Perfect for your executive team or client outing and a great setting to network with Chicagoland's finest in the hospitality industry!
Hospitality Young Professionals Networking Cruise
July 18
Mystic Blue - Docked at Navy Pier
 Join IHLA's Hospitality Young Professionals (HYP) group on a Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge Cruise aboard Entertainment Cruises' Mystic Blue docked at Navy Pier and enjoy an evening of networking, fun, and incredible views on Lake Michigan. Tickets include dinner buffet, beer/wine/sodas, DJ entertainment, dancing, and games.
Choose Chicago Hotel Symposium
July 22
The Westin Chicago River North
 Choose Chicago and IHLA invite you to join us for the 9th Annual Hotel Symposium! Join your colleagues to learn about Chicago's hotel and visitation performance, and what is forecast for 2020 and 2021. Bobby Bowers, SVP of Operations for STR, Inc. will join us to share industry and segment hotel performance. Also joining us this year will be Tori Barnes, EVP, Public Affairs and Policy for the U.S. Travel Association to discuss the state of travel in the U.S.
IHLAEF Webinar: Crisis Communications
August 1 | 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
 When things go wrong at your hotel, make sure you get your communications strategy right. Hear from a seasoned crisis PR professional on the do's and don'ts when it comes to crises that may occur including natural disasters, protests, illegal activity within the hotel, data breaches and more.
IHLA Golf Classic
August 20
Harborside International Golf Center
 Join us for the premier hotel industry golf outing featuring an incredible day of golf and networking with the finest in hospitality, a perfect way to entertain VIP clients!
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Welcome New Members
 We are pleased to announce our newest Strategic Partner, AiRISTA Flow. As Illinois hotels must comply with the mandatory installation of safety devices by July 1, 2020 per Illinois law, IHLA is identifying vendors, like AiRISTA Flow, to assist you in this process. AiRISTA Flow provides an end to end panic button solution for housekeeper safety. Delivered from the cloud or on-prem, AiRISTA Flow draws from a range of technologies and tags to address the requirements of specific hotel properties. The company has been providing panic button solutions for over 10 years in some of the most challenging environments.
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 See the unexpected when you visit the Quincy, Illinois area. The Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (QACVB) is available to meet all of your needs, from planning day trips to recommending the best places in town for an afternoon snack.
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Gala Sizzle!
Relive the spectacular evening we had in April at our Hospitality Gala!
Featured Member
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